By Rachel Aretakis

At approximately 7:30 p.m. on Monday, a car flipped on South Upper Street after hitting two parked cars right outside of Mellow Mushroom.

Lexington police Sgt. Ronald Spurlock said a black Chevrolet Monte Carlo was driving down the street when it swerved and hit a parked red Honda Fit. The Honda then slid forward and crashed into a parked silver Chevrolet Cavalier, which was pushed about a car length.

The Monte Carlo slid nearly 30 feet and then flipped.

Jono Moore, a UK senior who lives next to the restaurant, described the man driving the Monte Carlo as an “older gentlemen,” who firefighters had to pry out of the flipped car.

The man in the flipped vehicle was talking when he was pulled from his car and seemed uninjured, Spurlock said. But he wouldn’t know the man’s condition for sure until he was taken to the hospital.

Neil and Helen Morrison, owners of the red Honda, were inside Mellow Mushroom with their friends when they heard the crash.

Helen Morrison said at first they thought it was a hit-and-run, but when they saw the Monte Carlo flipped, they realized it was more serious.

She said their car acted almost as a bumper to the restaurant.

The intersection of South Upper and Pine streets was the subject of debate last year, as some city officials wanted Student Government to contribute $1,500 toward funding a flashing light there. The measure did not pass, however a flashing light was later installed at the intersection.

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The owner of the Cavalier was not present at the scene until the tow truck was preparing to take the Honda away. He said he was at his friend’s apartment when the police called him to the scene.

Avalon Sandoval, a UK anatomy and neurobiology staff member, was out to eat with the Morrisons and said she heard the crash from inside.

She described it as “just a big thump, and then shattering of glass.” When they got outside, they realized the car had flipped.

“We’re still going to eat dinner. We need it now more than ever,” Neil Morrison said. As his car was being towed, he grabbed one of the headlights, laughed and said he would keep it.

“That’s just stuff,” Neil Morrison said as he pointed to his smashed car. In reference to the man whose car was hit, he said, “That’s a human.”